Americans rank cleanliness (43 percent) over security (11 percent) as the most important factor in selecting a hotel, according to a survey conducted on behalf of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Price and location were top factors for 23 percent and 19 percent of respondents, respectively.

The survey also showed that 84 percent of Americans would not refrain from traveling for business on September 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Fewer than one in five of Americans are fearful of flying on September 11, 2011, while only 16 percent are fearful about flying on an airplane on a national holiday.

"Travelers should take safety precautions more seriously, and travel security should be higher on their checklist than cleanliness," said Jim Villa, a senior vice president and North American manager for Chubb's Accident & Health business. "It seems that more people are concerned about housekeeping than security."

In other survey findings regarding the 9/11 anniversary:

Nearly one-third of respondents would be concerned about being near a nuclear power plant on September 11.

22 percent would avoid a chemical plant.

18 percent would avoid entering a sports stadium or entertainment venue with a large crowd of people;.